FATIMA FERNANDEZ CANO WINS CARLISLE ARIZONA WOMEN’S GOLF CLASSIC 
Not even a pop-up thunderstorm forcing a 30-minute weather delay could slow Fatima Fernandez Cano in the final round of the Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic at Longbow Golf Club. The Spaniard shot a 2-under par 70 on Sunday to capture her second Epson Tour title by three strokes at 17-under.
“It’s super sweet,” said Fernandez Cano, an Epson Tour ambassador. “I came into this tournament as a preparation to continue my LPGA career. We had a long break and it just felt right, I always love Arizona and Carlisle puts on a first-class event.”
A two-time Epson Tour graduate in 2020 and 2021, Fernandez Cano finished at No. 2 on the Race for the Card money list both seasons to secure LPGA Tour membership. She made 19 cuts across 20 starts with 10 top-10 results a year ago on the “Road to the LPGA.” The Troy University alumna continued her hot streak in the desert before venturing to California for the LPGA’s JTBC Classic presented by Barbasol, one of Fernandez Cano’s sponsors.
“I was very close a few times last year. I was able to get my LPGA card but never quite got that win,” said Fernandez Cano, who previously won on the Epson Tour at the 2020 IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. “To come out here, first event and getting it done is actually very sweet.”
Fernandez Cano opened with birdies at Nos. 1 and 4, then surrendered a bogey at the par-4 6th. It was an eagle at No. 9 to turn at 2-under par on the afternoon that provided Fernandez Cano breathing room. Despite two bogeys coming in, she hoisted the trophy in the end.
“We had a great prep to the week,” said Fernandez Cano’s caddie James Longman. “Thursday, Friday we played well, just didn’t score. Saturday was a different level and today was tough to come out the day after an 11-under. It was a bit of a grind, with a couple really good saves for bogey that were clutch.”